OPS Entry Requirements

Outstanding Performance Series

For all correspondence with the OPS State Chair, Collin Anderson,
please use the following email address and phone number:
opsstatechair@atssb.org
903-390-3271

OPS Entry Requirements

Each director/conductor entering OPS selections must be a current member of ATSSB.  This includes directors/conductors of MS and NV groups.

 

Any 1C or 2C/3C middle school band that feeds a 1A, 2A, 3A or 4A high school band, and any 1A, 2A, 3A, or 4A high school band and any non-varsity band in those classifications may enter the Outstanding Performance Series (OPS) provided the head band director of the ensemble entering is a current regular member of ATSSB.

 

A band may enter one, two, or three of its contest selections. Entries must have been recorded at a UIL contest or at any other approved contest during the period from January 1 until May 20 of the current school year. All non-UIL contests must be approved by the OPS State Chair and added to the list of approved contests unless removed by the ATSSB State Board of Directors. The current approved contest list can be found on the ATSSB website OPS page (https://www.atssb.org/ops/).

 

Only UIL-approved concert selections may be entered. If two concert selections are entered, one selection must be from the pertinent grade level or higher. If only one concert selection is entered, it must be no lower than one grade level below the pertinent grade level of the entering school. Each selection entered must be uploaded as a separate digital .WAV file to the link posted on the ATSSB OPS Webpage. The OPS Verification Form, whether entering one, two, or three selections, needs to include the title, composer/arranger, and publisher of the selection for each recording to be submitted. The form must be signed by the head band director of the school entering, as well as a Principal or Superintendent. Verification of UIL approval to perform any number not listed in the current UIL Prescribed Music List must accompany any such entry.

 

If one or more of the entries is included as OPS Winners or Runners-Up, the award will be presented to the director, not to the school.

OPS Portal Instructions

1: When entering information in the portal:
Immediately, the portal will require you to log in with your TMEA log in.

2: OPS Entry page

  • Click the ‘Start/Complete the OPS Entry Process’ button at the top of the page.
  • Be sure to complete ALL *Required fields in the Campus Information section.
  • When entering dates you MUST enter dates in the format shown in the entry field: ##/##/#### otherwise, you will get an error message. (i.e. 03/15/2026)
  • NV Groups: Select either MSNV or HSNV under the classification dropdown; your entry will most likely auto-populate your classification according to your actual class, but you must select the appropriate NV class for you group (remember, all MS non-varsities are in one ‘class’ and all HS non-varsities are in one ‘class’.)
  • IT IS POSSIBLE to have more than one entry, whether purposeful or mistakenly;  therefore, the LATEST entry will be the one that is used.

3: MY OPS Entries Page

  • On this page, you can Manage Entry or Edit Entry
  • The Edit Entry link allows you to change any information previously entered if necessary.
  • The Manage Entry link proceeds to the next steps of the process
  • If multiple entries have been made, they are in order chronologically from top to bottom.

4: OPS Entry Detail Page

  • Verify all information is correct.
  • There is a link at the top and bottom of the page labelled Edit Selections, which is the link to use to upload your audio files.
  • There is a section at the bottom of the page labelled ‘Entry Form’; use the links here to download your official entry form and then, after securing signatures, to upload the form into the portal.

5: OPS Selection Submission Page

  • This page offers an area to WITHDRAW your OPS entry if you so choose to not complete the process.
  • Enter the Title, Composer, Publisher, and Site for the piece(s) to be uploaded.
  • Once completed, hitting the Submit button returns to the OPS Entry Detail page and now allows you to upload your .WAV files in the Upload your recordings section.
  • Be certain that the audio file is the CORRECT piece and that it is in .WAV format.
  • As is indicated in the ‘Upload your recording’ section, you can only upload your files once!
  • Clicking on the Upload Recording link takes you to the next page to actually upload the audio file.

6: OPS File Upload Page

  • Be sure to follow the instructions and make sure the audio file is being uploaded from your computer’s hard drive and not straight from a CD.
  • BE PATIENT! The upload takes some time to finish. There is no indicator to show upload progress.
  • Once the upload is complete, a new page will pop up with a link “Return to the Entry Details Page”.
  • Repeat the process for each of your pieces you choose to upload.
  • The system allows you to listen to each file before completing the entry so that you can make sure the full piece has uploaded correctly.

7: Upon returning to the OPS Entry Detail Page

  • A link is provided next to the Region Contest Information section, on the right-hand side, to print your invoice for your business office and to upload with your entry documents.
  • Once you have input all the information requested, uploaded the audio files and uploaded a signed official entry form you are done with the entry portal. Official Entry is NOT COMPLETE until payment is processed.

8. Provide payment

Request a school check and mail to:
OPS 2026
2117 Morse Street
Houston, TX 77019


(Click here for the ATSSB W9 for your business office)

OR

Pay online via the ATSSB PayPal link (click here).


You may also choose to email a copy of the OFFICIAL school Purchase Order to the Executive Director, should you feel that your check will not reach him before the entry deadline.


Check requisitions/requests are NOT an acceptable proof of payment, as ATSSB cannot bill from a check request should payment not arrive.